The buzz around one of our favorite local distillery’s new products is quite literal. St. Petersburg Distillery has established an on-site bee colony at the distillery, and has launched Honey Spirit, a barrel-aged and honey-infused creation.
The limited-edition Honey Spirit was barrel-aged for four years, and it is only available at the St. Petersburg Distillery tasting room and market store located at 800 31st Street South. Sampling is available, as well as the 750ml bottles available for purchase, and cocktails made with Honey Spirit can be purchased in their new Spirit Garden at the distillery.
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Honey Spirit is distilled from honey and hops before being aged in oak barrels, and St. Petersburg Distillery says “it presents a symphony of flavors, with the sweetness of honey harmonizing with the bitterness of hops, all enhanced by the rich, smoky notes imparted by four years of barrel aging.”
It was while producing this product that the distillery got the idea to establish an on-site bee colony for future products (and future batches of Honey Spirit), and they partnered with the Pinellas Beekeepers Association of Florida to establish and maintain the colony. The distillery said they are not only excited to use the honey in their distilling, but to also contribute to their goals of sustainability and local sourcing of goods.
“As far back as we have records, there has always been honey,” said Warren Gardner, Master Distiller at St. Petersburg Distillery. “From ancient civilizations offering honey as gifts to the gods to the modern-day incorporation into our diets for health and beauty, honey is a true superfood and a lovely sweetener. We’ve masterfully blended traditional techniques with unique, locally sourced ingredients to create this new honey spirit that is truly in a league of its own.”
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If you’re planning a visit to try the new Honey Spirit, we recommend bringing your appetite. In partnership with Cala Italian Kitchen, the new Spirit Garden is an oasis for great food and cocktails, a true hidden gem nestled just outside the distillery.
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